Fitted Coaster with Sidewalls for Condensation Capture and Grip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flat coasters fail to reliably adhere to beverage containers and do not effectively prevent condensation from dripping, especially when the container is lifted or moved, and they obscure advertisements when in use.
Innovation Solution
A fitted coaster with sidewalls and a base that captures moisture by receiving the bottom and side surfaces of beverage containers, featuring notches for grip and foldability, allowing the base to be visible as an advertisement space even when tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat coaster is used to capture moisture from beverage containers, then moisture capture function is provided, but the coaster does not reliably adhere to the beverage container and fails to prevent condensation from dripping when the container is moved or lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The coaster is divided into a base portion and a rim portion that can be separated. The rim portion is removable from the base portion, allowing the components to be individually optimized for their specific functions while working together as a complete system.
Solution Approach 2:
The coaster transitions from a flat two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional structure with vertical walls and depth. This dimensional change allows the coaster to wrap around and grip the beverage container, providing reliable adherence and preventing condensation from dripping when the container is moved.
2Reliability
If a flat coaster is placed on a surface to catch condensation, then moisture capture is achieved, but the coaster obscures advertisement content when the beverage container is placed on top
Solution Approach 1:
The advertisement content is segmented between two surfaces: the exterior of the beverage container and the base portion of the coaster. This segmentation ensures that the advertisement remains visible from multiple angles, including when the container is tilted for drinking, while the coaster's structural components perform the moisture capture function.
3Reliability
If the coaster structure is made complex to improve grip and adherence, then reliability of adherence improves, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The coaster is segmented into a base portion and a rim portion that can be manufactured separately using simple, standard processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler tooling and processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while achieving the desired grip and adherence through their combined three-dimensional structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitted coaster for a beverage container. The coaster may include a base and a first sidewall extending substantially perpendicularly from the base, the first sidewall, comprising: a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge opposite the first lateral edge; and a first top edge and a first bottom edge opposite the first top edge. The coaster may also include a second sidewall extending substantially perpendicularly from the base, the second sidewall, comprising: a third lateral edge and a fourth lateral edge opposite the third lateral edge; and a second top edge and a second bottom edge opposite the second top edge, wherein the first lateral edge is attached to the third lateral edge and wherein the second lateral edge is attached to the fourth lateral edge. The coaster may further include a first notch disposed along the first bottom edge.